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One of the ill effects of a s accession of alternate frosts 

 and thaws is the lifting of small and unestablished plants 

 out of the ground, where they are liable to remain high and 

 dry until killed by drought. If an inquest could be held 

 on the mortal remains of these plants, it would probably 

 be found that death was caused by drought and not by 

 frostier se. 



In rhubarb forcing the universal practice is to lift the 

 roots out of the ground and leave them exposed ' ' all thin 

 and naked to the numb-cold night " or, more correctly, to 

 the frost, for 3 weeks before transferring them tothew r arm 

 steamy atmosphere of the forcing house. The more 

 thorough the freezing, the quicker and stronger the growth 

 after their removal to the forcing house. 



The late Mr. Tyldsley who was one of oar most successful 

 fern growers here in the north, and whose cold glass fernery 

 excited the envy and admiration of all, thought he could 

 enhance the general interest by installing a heating appara- 

 tus, so as to exclude the frost during winter. The result 

 was quite satisfactory so far as the winter was concerned. 

 The evergreen and sub-evergreen ferns retained their fresh- 

 ness of foliage until long after Christmas, bat the growth 

 in spring left much to be desired. The crowns broke 

 feebly and unevenly as though the long night of winter had 

 been spent in riot and dissipation. There was also an air 

 of general debility about the ferns which contrasted very 

 unfavourably with their former robust health. 



Frost in winter, although so detestable to elderly people, 

 certainly has its good points, and is very serviceable as a 

 soil pulverizer. A good hard frost after the land has been 

 roughly dug is the very best possible preparation for the 

 summer drought, as it leaves the soil in that light and 

 powdery condition which is so essential to the well being 



